PENN ST: Bill O'Brien coached as well as anybody, leading his NCAA-sanctioned program to eight wins in its final 10 games. Penn State was second in the Big Ten in passing (274 YPG) but will dearly miss QB Matt McGloin. True freshman QB Christian Hackenberg will likely start ahead of JUCO transfer Tyler Ferguson. Despite this inexperience in a complex, no-huddle offense, there are plenty of desirable targets like superstar WR Allen Robinson (1,018 rec. yds, 11 TD) and TE Kyle Carter (453 rec. yds). RB Zach Zwinak (1,000 rush yds, 6 TD) will carry the load behind a solid O-Line. The nation's No. 16 scoring defense (19.1 PPG) will again boast a fierce front four (2.8 sacks per game, T-15th in FBS) led by DE Deion Barnes (6 sacks, 3 FF). CB Adrian Amos (44 tackles) shines in a top-notch secondary, but MLB Glenn Carson (85 tackles) and OLB Ethan Hull (4 sacks) are part of a thin linebacker corps.

MINNESOTA: The Gophers began 4-0 last year, but finished 2-7, surpassing 17 points just twice in those final nine contests. QB Philip Nelson (5.7 YPA, 8 TD, 8 INT) made great strides as a freshman and now has a lock on the starting job. But none of his returning wideouts caught even 20 passes last year. That's a big reason why Minnesota will remain a run-first offense with RBs Donnell Kirkwood (926 rush yds, 6 TD) and Rodrick Williams (261 rush yds) rumbling behind a veteran O-Line. The strength of the defense lies in the back (187 passing YPG, 12th in FBS) with an athletic secondary led by CB Derrick Wells (74 tackles, 10 PD) and S Brock Vereen (64 tackles, 9 PD). The run defense struggled (172 YPG, 74th in FBS), but 300-pound DT Ra'Shede Hageman (6 sacks) draws enough double-teams to free up the pass rushers. JUCO LB Damien Wilson will likely shine brightest in a crew of unproven linebackers.